Structural connection



Dec. 3, 1968 v. SPANE 3,414,300

STRUCTURAL CONNECTION Filed July 25, 1966 INVENTOR. I/MTOZ ,6 SPAM.

A rive/v6) United States Patent 3,414,300 STRUCTURAL CONNECTION VictorL. Spane, Rte. 2, Box 79a, Stanwood, Wash. 98292 Filed July 25, 1966,Ser. No. 567,652 Claims. (Cl. 287-2032) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Themitered abutting ends of an angularly disposed pair of timbers have ametal plate therebetween. Common side faces and inner and outer edges ofthe timbers adjacent the angle are embraced by a U-shaped angularmetallic channel to which the metal plate is integrally attached. TheU-shaped channel is secured to the timbers, and the timbers are securedtogether into a rigid structure by plural fasteners passing fromexternal of the channel into the timber structure.

Backgrmo-und This invention pertains to that portion of the art ofbuilding construction in which craftsmen employing standard timbersobtainable in the lumber trade and join them to provide structuralmembers for a building. Metallic connector elements are employed which,when with the timbers are assembled and securely fastened together, willprovide in a building truss an eave elbow or the crown joint in a roofstructure. The primary problem involved in the prior art is thedifficulty of obtaining accuracy that can result from hand work. Alsolack of rigidity may result from normal mortising operations includingthe use of conventional nails, bolts or similar fastening. No specificprior art appropriate in this instance is known.

Description The primary object of this invention is the provision of astructural connection which can be readily prefabricated in parts tomeet specific requirements and used and erected by carpenters ofordinary skill with speed and accuracy to establish angles and angularconnections of great strength and rigidity.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during thecourse of the following description of a structure embodying theprinciples of the invention. The exact details are shown by way ofillustration and it is not intended to thereby limit the invention, thescope of the invention being properly comprehended from the subjoinedclaims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a building arch employing structuralconnections according to this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the components of astructural connection;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the components of FIGURE 2 inassembled relation;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate form ofconnection channel, a portion being broken away for convenience ofillustration; and

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section view similar to that of FIGURE 4 butdisplaying a connection made employing the channel of FIGURE 5.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a footing 10 resting upon a suitable basesupports an upright post or column 12 to which is connected a rafter 14,the latter in turn being similarly connected to a second opposite rafter16. The connection 18 between the post 12 and rafter 14 joins theseelements and the connection 20 joins rafters 14 and 16.

3,414,300 Patented Dec. 3, 1968 "ice It is to be understood thatconnections 18 and 20 may be identical in principle even though they mayvary in detail. As shown the principal difference is in the includedangle. It is to be borne in mind that these are but two embodiments ofthe invention and that other similar although specifically ditferentcircumstances may likewise be accomplished.

Referring to FIGURE 2 the rafters 14 and 16 are brought together anddisposed in a common plane in a substantially end-to-end manner asshown. Their longitudinal axes are angularly disposed relative eachother. The adjacent ends of the timbers are mitered at 15 and 17 tomatch each other and at such angles as will bisect the included angle A.Each mitered end is provided with an acute angle corner 19.

In the final assembly a metal plate 22 is disposed between the miteredends of the timbers. As shown in FIG- URE 2 plate 22 is rigidly securedin an angular channel member 24 which comprises webs 26 and 28 eachhaving upper flanges 30 and lower flanges or inner flanges 32. The plate22 bisects the angle defined by 24 and its juncture with the upperflanges 30 plate 22 forms a pair of acute angles 23 into which rafterends 19 closely seat. A plurality of holes 34 in the webs 26 and 28 andholes 36 in flanges 30' and 32 are used for the entry of fastening meansinto the timbers from exterior of the metal components.

A similar matching but opposite connector 25 is also shown in FIGURE 2.The timbers 14 and 16 and metal components 24 and 25 are shown in finalassembled condition in FIGURE 3.

Fasteners 35 may be driven through any of the holes 34 or 36in anypattern chosen by the contractor or the engineer thus to rigidify thestructure. In some instances it may be desirable to drive a fastener inevery such opening. In other instances this may not be required. Wherethe fasteners may enter opposite each other and of such length as tocome into conflict with each other, they may be omitted or angled.

The connector 40 of FIGURE 5 is quite similar to connector 24 in that itemploys the webs 41, 42 having outer flanges 43 and inner flanges 44. Aprincipal variation is that plate 46 which is rigidly secured in theU-shaped channel member is broad enough that it extends outward fromsaid channel a material distance as shown. Preferably the dimensions ofplate 46 will'be substantially coextensive with the area of the miteredjoints between the ends 15 and 17. This construction is particularlyuseful as shown in FIGURE 6.

An important advantage of this construction is that the transfer of aload as, for example, on a roof of a building to structural members suchas posts in the sidewall is accomplished without imparting substantialstrain on the elements at the cave line of the building. By means ofthis structural connection the applied forces are distributed over wideareas and not as in former practices localized. Another advantageparticularly to be noted in this struc tural connection is that theacute angle 19 of the wooden members at the mitered joints is in eachinstance nested in a socket or pocket of very closely matchingangularity and of substantial depth. By this arrangement a load beingtransmitted along a rafter, for example, toward a knee joint asconnection 18 of FIGURE 1 is firmly transmitted into the metal parts ofthe connection and by them in the assembly distributed and dissipatedwithin the structure in such a way as to not weaken or strain or permitracking of the joint. This function exists with respect to connector 20as well as connector 18.

What is claimed is:

1. A structural connection, comprising: a pair of wooden timbersdisposed substantially end-toend in a common plane with theirlongitudinal axes angularly disposed relative each other, the adjacentends of said timbers being mitered to bisect said angle;

a metal plate disposed in the angle between said mitered timber ends;

a metallic U-shaped channel member of uniform crosssection throughoutits length and shaped to incorporate said angle, said channel memberbeing disposed with coplanar web portions juxtaposed to and extendingalong coplanar side faces of said timbers with flanges closely engagingand at least partially embracing transversely the inner and outersurfaces of said timbers;

said metal plate being rigidly secured to the web portions and flangesof said channel member in bisecting relation to the angle definedthereby; and

fastening means securing said channel member and said timbers together.

2. A structure connection according to claim 1 in which UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,840,014 6/ 1958 Wadsworth et a1. 3,188,1696 6/1965 Earhart28720.94 3,333,875 8/1967 Tracy 287-2034 CARL W. TOMLIN, PrimaryExaminer.

WAYNE L. SHEDD, Assistant Examiner.

